Press Digest for Friday March 2, 2012

4^min

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.

Berri: Lebanon will not be side-lined by Cypriot-Israeli deal

Speaker Nabih Berri told An-Nahar daily that he did the right thing by visiting Cyprus at this point. Berri added that he told the Cypriots that Lebanon will not tolerate to be side-lined by a Cypriot-Israeli deal that will harm its interests.

Berri stressed that Lebanon has the right to get acquainted with the deal concluded between Cyprus and Israel.

In December 2010, Cyprus signed a memorandum of cooperation with Israel for surveying and mapping joint energy projects. Lebanon says the memorandum's provisions violate its maritime rights. Both Israel and Lebanon lay claim to a maritime area that spans some 800-square kilometers, said to be rich in oil and gas.

Sleiman: I am in contact with Assad who responds to honesty

President Michel Sleiman told As-Safir daily that he will not tolerate the principle of quotas, adding that no party should ask for a share or a “quota”. Sleiman stressed the importance of the adoption of appropriate standards regarding the appointments mechanism which will eventually safeguard the law.

Sleiman ruled out claims that he intends to extend his mandate, underscoring the importance of “rotation of power”.

“Parliamentary elections will be conducted on time whether a new electoral law is adopted, which would be ideal, or not”, Sleiman said, adding that if it is the case elections will take place according to the current law.

The president said that he is in contact with Syrian president Bashar Assad who responds to calm, constructive and honest proposals. “The Arab League’s suspension of Syria’s membership should be revoked and I am against boycotting or isolating any Arab country”, Sleiman said.

Will Sunday’s protest called for by Sheikh Al Asir happen?

The Imam of Bilal bin Rabbah mosque in Sidon Sheikh Ahmad Al Asir told Al Akhbar daily that he is clinging to his call for a protest to be staged in Martyr Square on Sunday. Al Asir said that the protest will show solidarity with the Syrian people.

Meanwhile, the same newspaper quoted security sources as saying that security apparatuses are worried of a potential stand-off between the protesters and the supporters of the Syrian regime.

Sources close to the Future movement said that the movement’s leadership is embarrassed by Al Asir and his call for protest, adding it fears that a good number of protesters might answer his call.

Qabbani calls for a a-la-libanaise settlement for the $11 billion

The Head of the Public Works parliamentary committee MP Mohammad Qabbani told Al-Akhbar daily that the solution to the current parliamentary crisis would to add the $11 billion to the 8,900 LBPs.

According to the daily, Qabbani stressed that both amounts were spent in the same way.

Qabbani called for reaching a a-la-libanaise-settlement through applying the principle of neither victor nor vanquished.

Is Connelly meeting with Bassil to discuss importing energy from Iran?

Al-Joumhouria daily reported that “U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly contacted a number of people concerned by important issues”. According to the newspaper, Connelly will meet Energy Minister Gebran Bassil on Friday.

Al-Joumhouria added that discussions might tackle the possibility of importing energy from Iran despite financial and economic sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic.